Would YOU wear another "clan's" tartan?

[rab _]

I (would) only wear a tartan related to my name.

My experience is that this is the accepted norm in lowland Scotland, but the link may often be through a sept. Obviously things are different in the highlands, but down here it is expected that one wears a family or clan tartan, but no questions are asked and no-one cares too much in any case.

As an aside; is there an authoritative list of tartans which are known to have been associated with any clan, whilst that clan was actually in existance (pre 1745/6 perhaps)? I wonder how many clan tartans are a result of the (lowlander inspired) revival following 1822, and whether these should really be considered as clan society tartans or similar, given that what they purported to represent (a highland clan) may no longer have existed?

It is stated on the website of Lord Lyon that anyone bearing a surname of a recognised clan is automatically a member of that clan - but where does this reasoning come from? Was it not the case that a clan was infact a community living together, directly under their chief? To my mind there is a confusion that I can claim to be a clan member and thus be protective of "my tartan" whilst not living under any type of clan system.

This is all asked out of genuine interest, and in the hope of enlightening replies!

[###KILTEDKIWI###]

I tend to agree with JS, I will only wear the tartan associated with my surname.

[NewGuise]

Given that my surname is ultimately Flemish, and my mother's surname Dutch, I cannot simply wear 'my clan tartan' ... and I don't feel right wearing that of the mother of my children, who is Scottish on all sides, aside from a little MicMac a few generations back. So, as noted in other posts on other threads, I wear 'universal' or fashion' tartans exclusively - including the unofficial Canadian national tartan, the Maple Leaf, which is occasionally recognized by folk here. However, as noted in yet another thread, I will eventually wear a Macbeth tartan, while teaching a course on Shakespeare's play (and its sources and various adaptations), which will eventually get turned into a tank. And while I think I have some good reasons for wearing that tartan, I will still feel more than a bit weird about doing so.

[KiltedDawg]

I'm actually starting to change my mind and become more narrow minded. The majority of my kilts have family, regional, or school connections. I do have some casuals that I only wear around the house in universal tartans. I'm considering a reduction in the number of kilts in my closet and will more than likely keep the ones in which I have a strong tie/connection. Some of the district tartan may be on the chopping block as feel I more kilts than I can possibly wear. "Less is more may become my new mantra." I also say this because I always find myself going backs to the family tartan time and time again.

[Mr. MacDougall]

It's true that the kilt I find myself reaching for most often is my Service tartan, but I find associations more of a guide to choosing "what next" than anything else.

[Chainsaw02]

At clan functions and most times in formal mode I wear my Maclaine of Lochbuie "tanks" of which I have three various tartans. Otherwise I wear other tartans that match the rest of my attire. I am a direct decendent through my mother to my clan.

As for corporate tartans I really have no opnion.

Larry Dirr FSA Scot
Indiana Commissioner Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie

[Ancienne Alliance]

Interesting scores so far...


Best,

Robert

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I think another distinction one might make is whether one would a) only wear my clan tartan(s) or b) would not wear another clan's tartan(s).

The difference is that someone who subscribed to opinion "b" would not have any issue wearing fashion, district, corporate, etc., tartans besides his own clan tartan, while someone subscribing to opinion "a" would not wear any of the above.

I personally fall closer to the "b" category. All the clan tartan kilts I wear are from families I actually descend from. On the other hand, I have no problem wearing district tartans for places I feel a connection to (such as the Carolina tartan for my home state) or even fashion tartans that I simply like the look of (such as my Highland Granite tartan kilt). I have no real desire, though, to wear another clan's tartan that I "simply like the look of."

I also think it makes a difference whether we are talking of a kilt or some other garment. I think the general assumption is that we are all discussing wearing a tartan in a kilt. But it does make a difference in my opinion. I'm not likely to wear a kilt in another clan's tartan simply because I like the looks. But I might wear a tartan in a neck tie simply for fashion, and wear that tie not in the context of Highland dress. In fact, I have done just that. I have a lovely silk tie in the weathered Buchanan tartan that I wear quite often in the autumn with a wool blazer and slacks. I'm in no way related to Buchanan, but the colors of that tie are perfect and I wear it as a fashion accessory with my regular Saxon clothing, not with the kilt. As I am not a Buchanan I have no desire to own a kilt in that tartan.

[Paul]

I think another distinction one might make is whether one would a) only wear my clan tartan(s) or b) would not wear another clan's tartan(s).

The difference is that someone who subscribed to opinion "b" would not have any issue wearing fashion, district, corporate, etc., tartans besides his own clan tartan, while someone subscribing to opinion "a" would not wear any of the above.

I personally fall closer to the "b" category. All the clan tartan kilts I wear are from families I actually descend from. On the other hand, I have no problem wearing district tartans for places I feel a connection to (such as the Carolina tartan for my home state) or even fashion tartans that I simply like the look of (such as my Highland Granite tartan kilt). I have no real desire, though, to wear another clan's tartan that I "simply like the look of."

I also think it makes a difference whether we are talking of a kilt or some other garment. I think the general assumption is that we are all discussing wearing a tartan in a kilt. But it does make a difference in my opinion. I'm not likely to wear a kilt in another clan's tartan simply because I like the looks. But I might wear a tartan in a neck tie simply for fashion, and wear that tie not in the context of Highland dress. In fact, I have done just that. I have a lovely silk tie in the weathered Buchanan tartan that I wear quite often in the autumn with a wool blazer and slacks. I'm in no way related to Buchanan, but the colors of that tie are perfect and I wear it as a fashion accessory with my regular Saxon clothing, not with the kilt. As I am not a Buchanan I have no desire to own a kilt in that tartan.

That's a fair point there, Matt.

For some reason I have several ties to "the big 2" clans of Buchanan and Campbell. I'm sure the more I discover about the family tree, the more clans I will have another small association with, however, my closest roots direct me towards these 2.
I wonder how far back those who selected options 2 and 3 go with their family ties before deciding that it is far too distant to have any close relation to? I've heard some forum members state that their only known Scottish connection is 5 or 6 generations back, yet this is the only clan tartan that they would wear.

[fluter]

I wonder how far back those who selected options 2 and 3 go with their family ties before deciding that it is far too distant

In my case about 5. But if I should find a MacLeod or MacDonald in the 6th generation, that may be revised. Interestingly enough, the 5th-generation line is the one about which I have the most genealogical info right back to the banks of Loch Lomond by way of the Great Waggon Road.

The tartan with which I grew up, my mother's surname, is the one with the shortest documented line. Her grandmother's name, we get as far as Co. Antrim --- or at least we know there was a sister left behind there --- but haven't really got much across the water, let alone the final jump to Scotland.